Marine Regulations Shake Up for 2012

BOATING REGULATIONS UPDATE

New marine regulations will make it more difficult for boaties to get a marine license and we suggest that now is a good time to get one.

Also Dept of Transport will be issuing a range of new fines for overstaying at Berths and for not wearing PFD's or having the correct safety gear on a boat. Other fines for anchoring in restricted area's, having too many passengers on board a vessel.

Fines for not wearing a PFD during heightened risk could result in fines as high at $600 for every passenger on a vessel while under.

What is heightened risk?

• When a vessel is crossing or attempting to cross an ocean bar or designated hazardous area
• When the vessel is being operated by a person who is alone
• When the vessel is being operated at night commencing one hour after sunset and ending one hour before sunset
• When there is a likelihood that a vessel may capsize or be swamped by waves or the occupants of the vessel may fall overboard or be forced to enter the water.
• When the vessel is operating in an area where a gale warning, storm warning, severe thunderstorm warning or severe weather warning issued buy the Bureau of meteorology.
• When a vessel has no safety barriers, lifelines, safety harness or jacklines in use.

There is discussion of different boat licensing requirements for vessels that can take more than 12 passengers.

Fines will greatly increase!

Examples of new regulations proposed;

· Section 100 requires an all round white light to be displayed at anchor during the daytime (penalty infringement $244, court max. $2440)

· Section 14 requires notification in writing within 28 days to the Safety Director for a change of outboard brand, propeller, fuel type, etc (penalty infringement $244, court max. $2440)

· Schedule 7 provides penalty infringements of $122 parking fines (s158 Marine Safety Act 2010 already provides for local government car parking ticket inspectors to both issue these infringements to boaters on the water AND for the council to keep any revenue raised)

· Other high penalty provisions that are "honey pots" designed to trap boaters into receiving penalty infringements

· The justification used by the Department of Transport for imposing these heavy penalties is based on a "safety case" that is using flawed data deliberately to imply boaters are idiots and need these penalties to behave

There is discussion under way to introduce practical boating exams. At Pleasure Cruising Club Inc we believe in safety first, thats why we have compulsory training to attend our Skipper School Certification Level 1 Course.